Cycling 2012

**Mr A** · 10/07/2012, 2:06 PM

It'll be interesting to see what Sky do now. I think they'll maintain their tactic of controlling the race as much as possible.. but they could always look to send Froome up the road to force the others to defend and tow Wiggins along. Then Wiggins can counter attack. The downside to this is that Froome looks super strong and might accidentally win the Tour, wrecking Sky's carefully laid plans.

**Dodge** · 10/07/2012, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

It'll be interesting to see what Sky do now. I think they'll maintain their tactic of controlling the race as much as possible.. but they could always look to send Froome up the road to force the others to defend and tow Wiggins along. Then Wiggins can counter attack. The downside to this is that Froome looks super strong and might accidentally win the Tour, wrecking Sky's carefully laid plans.

The line today was

We’re here to win the Tour. We set out on this journey with a mission to win the Tour with a British rider. We’ve got one lying first and one lying third at the moment, and winning is still the ultimate goal. We won’t be holding back and trying to get X amount of people on the podium. We’re here to win the Tour. For now it’s all hands on deck for Brad. Froomey’s more than capable of winning this Tour if something happens to Brad, but at this moment in time we’re all behind Wiggins

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sky-...tour-de-france

I personally loved when Sastre went off in the Alps and 'stole' the Tour from team mate Shleck.

**Dodge** · 11/07/2012, 11:13 AM

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12...nsparency.aspx

Kimmage disappointed in Wiggins and Sky

**Mr A** · 11/07/2012, 11:33 AM

David Brailsford on why they hired the ex-Rabobank doctor: http://www.cyclesportmag.com/news-an...er-cent-clean/

**Real ale Madrid** · 11/07/2012, 12:05 PM

Some damning stuff there from Kimmage, and the lone comment from the 2nd article says it all really

Rory says: July 11, 2012 at 8:55 am
Begs the question, if Sky have him to look after riders in extreme heat, extreme fatigue and protect their health, then why isn’t he at the tour?

**Real ale Madrid** · 11/07/2012, 3:06 PM

Go on Jens!

Edit - Voeckler wins whats sounded like a pretty epic stage from Scarponi and 41 year old Jens Voigt in 3rd, LL Sanchez 4th and Devenyns in 5th - a pretty entertaining collection there - so looking forward to highlights later.

Top 5 remains the same with Nico Roche slap bang in the middle of them at the finish line finishing 14th on the stage. On the face of it another impressive ride from him.

**Dodge** · 11/07/2012, 3:38 PM

yeah, Roche up to 9th as Van Gardaran lost a few seconds.

Nibali attacked main bunch on last descent. Radioshack looked to try and reel him and van de Broeck in (protecting 6th?)

Roche fnished 14th on stage. Big day tomorrow

**Real ale Madrid** · 11/07/2012, 8:47 PM

Can't understand constant mention of the alps today. Colombier is in the Jura mountains - primary school geography there.

Great segment at the start of itv's coverage earlier about decending - nice few tips, as I am a useless decender myself normally - I'm a hanger on.

**Dodge** · 12/07/2012, 12:39 PM

Dan Martin in the break today. looking for KOM points apparently

**Mr A** · 12/07/2012, 2:20 PM

No mentions of Roche.. he's been dropped by the yellow jersey group at least.. ominous.

**the 12 th man** · 12/07/2012, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Dan Martin in the break today. looking for KOM points apparently

For those with no pictures,he's in a group of 7 ahead of the group with Wiggins at 2.11 behind him.

**the 12 th man** · 12/07/2012, 2:42 PM

Breakaway group fractured with Martin out the back,Roche is back with yellow jersey group though.

**Mr A** · 12/07/2012, 3:05 PM

Menchov 5 minutes back already.. If Roche can hang in there he'll move up at least one place. Sounds like one hell of a stage.. pity I'm at fecking work.

**Dodge** · 12/07/2012, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

pity I'm at fecking work.

Following text/twitter updates is brutal

**Mr A** · 12/07/2012, 4:53 PM

Notable that Roche never seems to have any helpers that can last with him to any useful extaent in the mountains. A real pity they lost Dupont last week, maybe he'd have been able to help more. Roche has been AG2R's top finisher on every stage since the sprint on stage 6.

He's now 13th, 2 minutes outside the top ten.

**Macy** · 13/07/2012, 1:54 PM

A bit more like the old Wiggo.... http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog...ins-dope-drugs

I think I saw on twitter Nico was dropped on one of the climbs earlier, but apparently even the 'bus has rejoined the peleton.

**Stuttgart88** · 15/07/2012, 6:30 PM

So, I did 86k of the Olympic route today. I have to say I was underwhelmed by Box Hill. Stunning scenery, but once you get into a rhythm it's actually not very challenging. I only did it once though, not 9 times, and at about 16kph!

They have relaid the road and it's a delight to ride on. We saw world Ironman Triathlon Champion Chrissie Wellington training there. She's a legend - she was won every race she has ever entered and is so fast the world's top men race in fear of "being Chrissied" i.e., going slower than her. She would place easily in the top ten in most male elite fields! Anyway, Box Hill Cafe is a sight worth seeing in its own right - hundreds of cyclists eating cake and drinking coffee having reached the peak.

**Mr A** · 17/07/2012, 8:51 PM

Frank Schleck fails a drug test

Just another Tour rest day. Roche up to 12th.

Martin looking forward to the Pyrenees.

**Dodge** · 18/07/2012, 12:20 PM

Martin in a huge, but talented, 38 man group about 5 miutes down the road today. plentry of good climbers in it, they're over one HC, on the Tourmalet now